GRAPHITIC-CARBON NITRIDE EMBEDDED PVDF-HFP FILM FOR ENHANCED PERFORMANCE OF PIEZOELECTRIC NANOGENERATOR

Abstract

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) have gained attention as sustainable energy harvesters for wearable electronics and IoT systems by converting ambient mechanical energy into electricity. This study demonstrates a high-performance flexible PENG based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanocomposite films loaded with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanofillers at varying concentrations (0, 1, 3, and 5 wt%). Structural analyses via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) validated the homogeneous dispersion of g C₃N₄ within the polymer matrix and its role in enhancing the electroactive β-phase content. When subjected to mechanical excitation via electrodynamic shaker testing, the 5 wt% g C₃N₄/PVDF-HFP composite achieved optimal electrical outputs, generating an open-circuit voltage of 21.2 V and a short-circuit current of 14.24 µA—a marked improvement over pristine PVDF-HFP films. The performance enhancement correlates with the filler-induced polarization and crystalline phase modification in the polymer. These findings underscore the viability of g-C₃N₄-reinforced PVDF-HFP nanocomposites as efficient, flexible energy harvesters for self-powered wearable technologies.